Intercol 18: Trinity (Moka) and East Mucurapo run rampant as Fatima and Malick eliminated

East Mucurapo Secondary and Trinity College (Moka) set up a North Zone Intercol semifinal date on 19 November, after convincing wins over Malick Secondary and Fatima College at the Hasely Crawford Stadium today.

The “Maroon Boys” from Mucurapo Road drubbed the newly-promoted Malick 7-0, while Trinity eased past Fatima—one of three teams relegated from the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) Premier Division—by a 4-1 margin.

Coach Anthony Bartholomew hopes to bring some joy and love back to the Morvant/Laventille community when Malick make their Premier Division debut in 2019. But judging from the looks of today’s mismatch at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, they will have their work cut out for them.

The Malick schoolboys weren’t the only ones left licking their wounds though, as coach Wayne Sheppard’s Fatima outfit were put out of their misery after enduring a disastrous 2018 campaign.

What a difference a year makes.

Last year, Fatima were a breath of fresh air in the Premier Division as they finished fourth—and seven points away from victors Presentation College (San Fernando)—while their Intercol run was cut short by eventual North Zone champs, St Mary’s College, in the semifinal round.

But Fatima will have to battle it out in the North Championship Division next season and hope to earn a return to the top flight for 2020.

Today, Malick saw the gulf in class between the Premier and Championship Divisions first-hand, as they were soundly beaten by Mucurapo, a team which seemed to gain momentum at the business end of the 2018 SSFL season.

As early as the 11th minute, Malick found themselves on the back foot when lively Mucurapo midfielder Daniel David prodded into a vacant goal after goalkeeper Jaydon Taylor clattered into opposing attacker Zion McLeod.

Near the half hour mark, McLeod created more problems amongst the Malick ranks as his devilish low free kick was turned into his own goal by Malick midfielder Kyrstean Morris—an act which was mirrored by teammate and defender Terique Reid in the second half.

And the Maroon Boys put the game to bed after the interval with a clinical display of counter attacking football with substitute Malachi Celestine helping himself to a double and setting up up another for David. Captain McLeod also got a deserved item while Reid contributed an own goal.

It was a difficult performance to stomach for the sprinkling of Malick supporters.

“What Malick football really come to boy?” asked one frustrated supporter, as he headed for the exit. “Mucurapo eh saying nothing. Just the other day they was fighting up in the Premier [Division]!”

“I’m looking forward to good things from them,” Elie told Wired868. “And if I had to choose a team for us to come up against at this point in time, it would not have been Mucurapo… I saw a part of the Mucurapo game and I enjoyed what I saw.”

Trinity are no slouches themselves. Battered and bruised, Elie had to dig deep into his bench since as many as seven starters picked up injuries towards the end of the season.

Elie’s outfit was close to full strength today though and midfielders Raheim Jawahir and captain Temesgn Tezera punished their wayward, sluggish Fatima opponents

In the ninth minute, Trinity demonstrated their own poise and patience on the ball, as attacker Jevon Ward helped up the ball well in a fluent attack that winger Mulik Duke finished off with a low right-footed shot from the edge of the area.

Striker Kai Phillip bettered Duke’s cute finish in the 22nd minute, as he drilled a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Jacob Camacho at his near post—after Ward found him with a peach of a through ball from the right.

Fatima were in a daze. Elie said later that the coordination and cohesion he really desires isn’t quite there yet. The Mucurapo Street college should thank the Lord for small mercies then.

Still, Fatima did have their chances and midfielders Luke Darwent and Kaylon Taylor missed presentable opportunities inside the first half hour. And when they did get on the score sheet, it was on the wrong end, as defender Elisha Taylor inadvertently knocked past Camacho after nice link up play between Duke and Phillip.

At the interval, Fatima looked in danger of being on the wrong end of a tennis score. But to their credit, Sheppard’s charges put up a much better fight in the second half and might have given Trinity a scare with better finishing.

Forwards Mikhail McComie and Jean-Heim McFee both missed good chances while some last ditch defending also preserved Trinity’s advantage.

Darwent made up somewhat for his first half blemish as he tucked away from close range in the 67th minute, after a blocked shot fell invitingly to him in the penalty area. But overturning a three-goal deficit was always going to be a mountainous task for Fatima.

“I think what Fatima showed in the second half is that they are also a team to be reckoned with on their day,” Elie said. “But goals win matches. They had their chances but couldn’t put them away. We got ours and we put them away.”

After a couple brilliant saves by Camacho at the other end, Trinity finally put the icing on the contest in the 87th minute, as Phillip buried a shot into the bottom corner after a sweet play down the left.

The “Trinity Lions” are roaming. And maybe they can hit the heights of 2016 where they pipped St Anthony’s College to the North Intercol trophy.

“Trinity won that 2016 North Intercol title with Marlon Minguel, who is a very, very good coach,” said Elie. “The way he would’ve bonded with that team over the years to produce that result was good. If we can get anything close to that during this Intercol season that would be great…

“I’m hopeful that a performance like the one tonight can hold. When we come up against the better teams in the League, we’ll see how that works.”

About Roneil Walcott

Roneil Walcott is an avid sports fan and freelance reporter with a BA in Mass Communication from COSTAATT. Roneil is a former Harvard and St Mary's College cricketer who once had lofty aspirations of bringing joy to sport fans with the West Indies team. Now, his mission is to keep them on the edge of their seats with sharp commentary from off the playing field.

3 comments

Comprehensive article on the North Zone Intercol Quarterfinals Mr. Walcott. Thanks for the editorial correction to the photo with Kai Phillip. There is another correction to be made. The ‘Moka Lion’ being restrained by Fatima’s Jaden Perryman is Mulik Duke (the scorer of Trinity’s 1st goal) not Jean Luc Pantin.

3 weeks agoby wired868Save boi! T&T Maestros goalkeeper Jaydon Thomas keeps out a shot with the help of the bar during RBYL North Zone Under-13 action at the Queen’s Park Savannah on 27 April 2019. Photo: Allan V Crane/CA-Images/RBYL

3 weeks agoby wired868Chip off the old block? Mayo Youths attacker Tyrique Phillip (left) is on the prowl during RBYL South Zone Under-13 action on 7 April 2019. Tyrique is the son of Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team goalkeeper and 2001 World Youth Cup player, Marvin Phillip. Photo: Allan V Crane/CA-Images/Wired868